War disrupts schooling

CONFLICT and violence have driven more than 25 million children from 6 to 15 years old – about 22% – from schools in war zones across 22 countries, the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) says.

Schools provide not only education but a safe haven for children, protecting them from abuse, exploitation and recruitment by armed groups.

However, in numerous conflict zones, the number of children out of school is increasing dramatically. Unicef said, at primary level, South Sudan has the highest rate of out-ofschool children (72%).